Mbappe to Vote for Himself in Ballon d'Or Race

Kylian Mbappe has publicly stated that he will vote for himself for the Ballon d'Or when the award is presented on Monday in London. The French forward is not the favorite among bookmakers, nor was he the leading scorer in every major competition, but he believes his individual records from the 2025-26 season provide a sufficient basis for the prize.

The award covers the 2025-26 season, a period in which Mbappe did not win a team trophy at the club or international level. He finished with Real Madrid and the French national team without silverware, a gap he hopes to bridge with his personal statistical achievements. The prize, which carries no cash value, significantly influences a player's market value and status in the sport.

Mbappe's primary argument rests on his performance at the 2026 World Cup in North America. He won the Golden Boot for the second consecutive tournament and became the all-time leading scorer in the competition's history with 22 goals in 22 matches. This total surpasses Lionel Messi, who has 21 goals, and Miroslav Klose, who has 16. Mbappe noted last month that overtaking historical legends in the most important tournament in the sport is a standout achievement.

His club statistics also support his bid. Mbappe finished as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and led the scoring charts in the Champions League with 15 goals. He stated that being the top scorer in the biggest competitions makes for a strong case, adding that he feels it could be a good year for him.

The main weakness in his campaign is the absence of team honors. Real Madrid finished second in La Liga and were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, extending their trophy drought to two seasons. France placed fourth at the World Cup, losing to Spain in the semifinals and England in the third-place playoff. Rival candidates have stronger trophy records; Lamine Yamal won the World Cup with Spain and La Liga with Barcelona, while Harry Kane won three trophies including the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.

Mbappe remains confident, telling the radio station RFI that the award goes to a player, not a team. He emphasized that individual performance and eye-catching moments are what voters typically consider. His manager, Jose Mourinho, also voiced support, stating that the player who made history this summer is not from PSG or the Spanish national team.

Historical data suggests the odds are against Mbappe. Every winner over the past decade lifted at least one trophy during the award year. Ousmane Dembele won in 2025 after helping PSG secure their first Champions League title, and Rodri won two years ago after taking Euro 2024 and the Premier League. The last winner without a major trophy was Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013, who broke Lionel Messi's four-year winning streak after scoring 66 goals for club and country. Mbappe, who placed third in 2023 and has been nominated nine times, is seeking to replicate that rare outcome.

The ceremony will determine whether individual scoring records can outweigh team success in the current voting landscape. The award will be given to the player deemed most outstanding by a panel of voters, with the final decision announced Monday.